CVE-2025-15514: Ollama vulnerability (CVSS 7.5)

Description

Ollama 0.11.5-rc0 through current version 0.13.5 contain a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the multi-modal model image processing functionality. When processing base64-encoded image data via the /api/chat endpoint, the application fails to validate that the decoded data represents valid media before passing it to the mtmd_helper_bitmap_init_from_buf function. This function can return NULL for malformed input, but the code does not check this return value before dereferencing the pointer in subsequent operations. A remote attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted base64 image data that decodes to invalid media, causing a segmentation fault and crashing the runner process. This results in a denial of service condition where the model becomes unavailable to all users until the service is restarted.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionNone

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityNone

IntegrityNone

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected products

Ollama≥ 0.11.6 ≤ 0.13.5 · 0.11.5

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

Patch & vendor advisories

https://huntr.com/bounties/172df98b-07cd-41ea-a628-366f8cd525c0

References

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-15514
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2428828
https://https://github.com/ollama/ollamaProduct
https://huntr.com/bounties/172df98b-07cd-41ea-a628-366f8cd525c0ExploitPatchThird Party Advisory
https://ollama.com/Product
https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2025/cve-2025-15514.json
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ollama-multi-modal-image-processing-null-pointer-dereferenceThird Party Advisory

Related CVEs

Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2025-15514 being actively exploited?

CVE-2025-15514 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. A public exploit reference exists, so treat it as exploitable. Its EPSS exploit probability is 0.78%.

How severe is CVE-2025-15514?

CVE-2025-15514 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5, rated high. EPSS estimates a 0.78% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2025-15514?

Affected products include Ollama.

How do I fix CVE-2025-15514?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-15514 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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